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Customer Reviews (11)

lovely book, whats yer problem
I read many commentsbefore buying this book which did not really rate it, but as REH fan and a FRazetta fan I decided what the hell. In my humble opinon it is good value for money and a fantastic book, if you are just starting out or not as a fan of REH a nice book for the collection, nicely bound with dust jacket and fantastic artwork and yes some images are cropped from the original work by frazetta but his work is so great it still worked for me, I say buy it and enjoy it, I did. I opened it and went wow.
for all those who slatted it, get a life, your too criitical.

Nice cover art, not much else.
Unfortunately, this collection does not live up to it's potential.Conan plus Frazetta should equal five stars, but in this case the Frazetta art is presented poorly and the Howard stories, while excellent, are not among his best.If you want Howard, look to the Del Rey books.As for Frazetta, the Legacy/Icon titles are terrific.

Conan & Frazetta
Robert E Howard is the father of Sword and Sorcery genre, and his barbarian Conan is still vivid and powerful since first published in 1932.

The Frazetta cover paintings for the Lancer paperbacks of the 1960s are published here, though not always associated with the original Lancer stories. These powerful images and superb occult adventures helped launch the 1970s Fantasy & SF wave.

The afterword is by HP Lovecraft, with an amateurish and ill informed forward by Arnie Fenner, which has drawn angry criticism from dedicated Howard experts and fans.

Eight Conan stories, just less than one third of the stories, are here with Frazetta art. I had to buy this, even though I have the art & stories in other books.

It still is a must buy.

It is what it is
This book is exactly what it appears to be: a truly beautiful book containing Conan tales together with evocative artwork, in both colour and ink.It is weighty and impressive and constantly draws me back to it.At the price, it is a steal.

It is not, and does not purport to be, a complete collection of all Conan tales, or even of those commonly judged to be REH's finest work.I can only hope an additional volume or two follows to complete the collection in this form.

"And their memory was a bitter tree" has only two flaws: the first, which is obvious from all other reviews, is the introduction.That jars with the book itself in places: why buy a book when you are told the author of these tales "simply wasn't a great writer".Despite that, there is nonetheless some interesting information in the introduction.

The second flaw is the reproduction of some pulp-era Margaret Brundage Conan covers only as thumbnail-sized prints in the introduction itself.These pictures would have been better served (full-sized) added to the Frazetta and Brom artwork scattered throughout the book.

As stated above, the praise I can give this book is best reflected in the fact that if Underwood/Black Bart produce further volumes in the same format to add more tales to the collection (hopefully with some full-size Brundage as well as Frazetta and a modern addition by Brom) then I will certainly buy them.

It's Nothing Personal...
...but there's nothing really to recommend this title. I'm usually supportive of both Underwood and Fenner, but in this case, one Brom Painting, plus the same Frazetta paintings we've all seen before, and not even ALL of the Conan stories (including the omission of some of the BEST REH Conan stories) does not an attractive package make.

...and on top of that, I really didn't care for the introduction. Only in SF fandom is it acceptable to attack and denigrate someone you allegedly admire. You don't see that kind of thing in Hemingway collections. Only Robert E. Howard gets the short end of the stick in such a fashion from people who supposedly like and admire his work. And even the folks who gave the book favorable reviews thought the intro was flawed, as well.

Go buy the Frazetta books from Underwood. They are gorgeous. Then go buy the three Del Rey Conan books. You'll be infinitely happier. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (9)

Brutal and Entertaining
This is some excellent writing that really takes the reader to interesting places. I first heard of Howard through Lovecraft, another favorite of mine. Bleeding liberals like me might be taken aback by some of his borderline-racist descriptions, but it doesn't really distract from the stories all that much.

I'd love to see some of these stories adapted into film.

a very good introduction to re howard
pidgeons from hell is the best includes a conan story a good introduction to RE Howard

The Black Stranger & Other American Tales by Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard's Pigeons From Hell was the scariest story I've ever read. Scarier than Poe and Hitchcock is putting it mildly! Per Chris Ward of Wizard Comic Magazine Pigeons From Hell was on a television show called Thriller narrated by Boris Karloff. The story is pure terror!Anytime I here a whistle now I get goosebumps and am ready to run like Hell!A must read is "Blood & Thunder - The Life & Art of Robert E. Howard" by Mark Finn.Below are comments from John Nevins and I agree totally! QUOTE
With enthusiasm, skill, and expertise Mark Finn has written the new and definitive biography of Robert E. Howard. Finn not only corrects a number of errors previous biographies and biographers made about Howard and his writings, Finn also describes, with sensitivity and nuance, Howard's environment and upbringing and the context in which Howard's work should be placed. Finn neither places Howard on a pedestal nor demeans him, but instead gives Howard the credit he deserves.UNQUOTE

My favorite stories that Robert Howard wrote are Pidgeons From Hell, Beyond The Black River, and Red Nails. There are so many great ones but these really stand out as the very best.

Tell five other people about Robert E. Howard and enjoy his stories.There's a DVD called The Whole Wide World 1996 Sony Pictures that is about Robert E. Howard and Novelyn Price his girlfriend.Renee Zellweger stars as Novelyn and Vincent D'Onofrio as Robert.Blockbuster carries it. Enjoy Robert Howard Fans! Check out the REH Foundation and Forum!

something to note...
This is a great collection and will please any fans of Howard's work, however the numerous typos are disconcerting.Every few pages there are errors that at first glance make little sense.They should be obvious to any proofreader, especially in such quantity.

It's my opinion that the text of this compilation was scanned from another source by a computer program, perhaps run through a second program to check for spelling errors, and reprinted without ever being properly proofread by a human being.

I'm not sorry I bought this book, but I am a little disappointed at how some publishers are so lazy as to rely almost wholly on computers.

reading review
The Black Stranger is not too bad as a collection of stories, however it draws a few stories from other books by R. E. Howard such as the Black stranger and the Gods of Bal-sagoth which are from Cthulhu mythos or Conan the barbarian books. It is very well written, and the descriptive power of Howard's writings comes out as is expected. I particularly enjoyed Marchers of Valhalla which turned to be one of my favourite stories. In Black Cannaan, the story comes across as very politically incorrect especially with its description of Afro-Carribean people or African-Americans and could easily offend a reader's sensitivities. All together its another good collection of stories from R.E. Howards writings. ... Read more

Product Description
Wings in the Night collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales Magazine from July 1932 to May 1933. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all - Conan the Cimmerian - and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not Free SF Reader
This volume is a little different, inasmuch as it contains almost all stories about Howard's super warriors, Kane, Kull and Conan, apart from the Cairn on the Headland, which you could call a story about a reincarnated warrior of that ilk, if you like.

Weird Works 4 : Wings in the Night - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 4 : Worms of the Earth - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 4 : The Phoenix on the Sword - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 4 : Scarlet Citidel - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 4 : Cairn on the Headland - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 4 : Tower of the Elephant - Robert E. Howard


Solomon Kane is deep in cannibal country, when he comes across even worse. Flying man-beasts that are too many for him to fight, and he is overcome.

When he wakens, he realises he is alive, even though he should not be, and is told of the akaanas, or flying-men, and realizes they may be the source of the Mediterranean harpy legend.

Kane has an advantage against them the others do not, he has firearms, and the staff of N'Longa. He sets out to deal with this menace methodically.

3.5 out of 5


One of Bran Mak Morn's subjects is being crucified while he is visiting some Roman commanders. This does not sit well with him or his aide, as he feels the punishment does not fit the crime, and the Romans are making a joke of doing what they will with the barbarians.

Bran has a plan for revenge on the Roman who gave the order, but Gonar cautions him against using mystic means. Bran ignores here, and seeks the Black Stone with the help of a were-woman. What he unleashes is a lot more than he bargained for.

4 out of 5


King Conan is bored. Politics and statecraft and maps, and all that stuff.

In a dream, a man magically enhances his sword, and that certainly comes in handy later when the odd traitor and demon relieves the tedium of the ruling class.

4 out of 5


King Conan's army of Aquilonians has been smashed by a far superior force, led by a wizard. Conan refuses to sign over his kingdom, and the wizard throws him in a dungeon.

He escapes an assassin and a monster, and rescues a wizardly rival that Tsotha had imprisoned. This wizard, please, summons a flying steed to bear Conan back to his kingdom, to take revenge.

4.5 out of 5


Another reincarnation type horror, with a Norse flavor. Nice to be given necessary supernatural artifacts via the reapparance of centuries dead ancestors, when that happens, that is for sure.

3.5 out of 5


Conan is in thieving mode here. In a tavern, he is asking the assembled crowd of nogoodniks why no-one has stolen a famous jewel from this tower.

They tell him because it is guarded by some very nasty things.

He, of course, investigates, and meets a master thief attempting the same thing.

Humans, animals, a giant spider and a wizard are to be encountered, not to mention an alien.

3.5 out of 5 ... Read more

Product Description
Gates of Empire presents eight of Robert E. Howard's classic adventure stories, all of which are set during the Crusades. Stories include "Red Blades of Black Cathay," "Hawks of Outremer," "Blood of Belshazzar," "The Sowers of the Thunder," "The Lion of Tiberias," "The Shadow of the Vulture" and "Gates of Empire" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not Free SF Reader
A collection of sword wielding historical types, in general.

Gates of Empire : Red Blades of Black Cathay - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : Hawks of Outremer - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : The Blood of Belshazzar - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : Lord of Samarcand - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : The Sowers of the Thunder - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : The Lion of Tiberias - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : The Shadow of the Vulture - Robert E. Howard
Gates of Empire : Gates of Empire - Robert E. Howard

A veteran Crusader, now less gullible, falls in a saving act. Nursed back to health by a creamy cheeked smart woman, he now has a small problem to deal with named Genghis Khan.

4 out of 5


Skull shield and cursed sword make Cormac Fitzgeoffrey a scary man.

3 out of 5


Cormac has no time for fools or butchers, but jewellery will pay the bills.

3 out of 5


A young Scotsman watches a battle go awry, but later is happy with a home in the area, and the chance to do some claymore wielding Turk lopping, but it is a very dangerous business.

2.5 out of 5


Manly playing with large shafts in pubs is cut short by some battles, and the Mongol hordes descend on Jerusalem. Yet another Gael finds himself in the thick of it, with a similar life expectancy.

3 out of 5


Mangled princes, and a captive crusader that a Turkish ruler finds rather too supernaturally resilient for his liking.

3 out of 5


Not much sorcery to be seen in this historical adventure, but it is the origin of the character that Roy Thomas and others adapted with such success for Marvel in comics form, so of interest to fans of Conan and Red Sonja as she currently stands4 out of 5


Drinking, swordplay, lots of yelling, politics, and a bargaining woman.

3 out of 5

... Read more

Product Description
This Halcyon Classics ebook collection contains five stories by famed pulp writer Robert Ervin Howard, creator of 'Conan.'Originally published in pulp magazines like 'Weird Tales' and 'Oriental Tales,' this collection includes the historical adventures:'Lord of Samarcand,' 'Gates of Empire,' 'The Lion of Tiberias,' 'The Shadow of the Vulture,' and 'The Sowers of the Thunder.'Includes an active table of contents for easy navigation.
... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
For the first time, Robert E. Howard's most-celebrated creations are together in one handsome collection! By buying all three of the first volumes of Dark Horse's Chronicles of Conan, Chronicles of Solomon Kane, and Chronicles of Kull series, you will receive an attractive slipcase only available through this offer and also get to experience all of Howard's most exciting tales as told by the industrys finest creators - including Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, Howard Chaykin, Mike Mignola, the Severins, and more! Featuring the latest in coloring technology, the remastered comics are a perfect introduction to the Robert E. Howard universe and a refreshing refurbishment of these timeless yarns for the collector who already owns the classic comics from the '70s and '80s!The Chronicles of Conan Volume 1 reprints issues #1 through #8 of the original Marvel comic-book series and includes such classic tales as "Tower of the Elephant" and the work of the incomparable Barry Windsor-Smith! The Chronicles of Solomon Kane collects every color appearance of Solomon Kane from his years at Marvel, beginning with Marvel Premiere issues #33 and #34 and bookended with the six-issue miniseries The Sword of Solomon Kane. Not to be outdone, The Chronicles of Kull Volume 1 features the work of Bernie Wrightson and includes Monsters on the Prowl #16, Creatures on the Loose! #10, and the first nine issues of Kull the Conqueror! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Stories by the Master

The Robert E. Howard Collection is a three book set of trade paperbacks, each featuring one of Howard's best-known creations:Conan, King Kull, and Solomon Kane.The Chronicles of Conan Volume 1 reprints issues #1 through #8 of the original Marvel comic-book series including one of Howard's most popular tales "Tower of the Elephant".These early 1970s stories feature the work of rising star Barry Windsor Smith.

The Chronicles of Solomon Kane collects the six-issue Marvel miniseries The Sword of Solomon Kane which features adaptations of Howard stories as well as an original tale and issues #33 and #34 of Marvel Premiere.The Chronicles of Kull Volume 1 features the two earliest Marvel Comics Kull stories from Monsters on the Prowl #16 and Creatures on the Loose! #10, as well as the first nine issues of Kull the Conqueror.

The Conan Stories have been reprinted fairly often over the years at Marvel and then again at Dark Horse.Smith's version was of a younger, waifish Conan and was a stark contrast to future Conan artist John Buscema's beefier version.Written by Roy Thomas, the foremost Conan comic's scribe, these early tales of Conan's life started the swords & Sorcery boom in comics that paved the way for Howard's other characters as well as DC's Warlord series.

The Solomon Kane stories are the real treat of this edition.Solomon Kane has been the least appreciated of Howard's main creations but he's arguably his most complex character.The Puritan adventurer was single-minded in his quest for vengeance, which propels him in the very first story, an adaptation of "Red Shadow" one version with spectacular art by Howard Chaykin.The only downer to the Kane book is "Hills of the Dead".Great story but awful art by Jon Bogdanove whose Kane looks positively anorexic.

The Kull book features art by Berni Wrightson on the very first Kull comic story.Kull always enjoyed outstanding and underrated art, mostly courtesy of the brother/sister team of John and Marie Severin.The Kull stories include Howard's "The Shadow Kingdom" in which the newly crowned King Kull has to defend his throne from the insidious Serpent Men.

This is a fantastic set, showcasing some of the best artists of the 70s and 80s and, of course, the fertile and fantastic imagination of Robert E. Howard.
... Read more

Product Description
This collection showcases Robert E. Howard's comic westerns. Howard's novel "A Gent from Bear Creek" is included (with its text restored), as well as two additional western stories featuring Breck Elkins. Introduction by Paul Herman. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

FROM out OF THE past -- TALL tales
Robert E. Howard is best known for his Conan tales.The saga of Breckenridge Elkins is a far cry from the epic fantasies of the Cimmerian, but they fit in with the 19th Century American West very nicely.The stories are tall tales, narrated by the hero in a very light style.The stories about how he acquired his horse, and eventuaslly his lady love are the stuff of lighthearted legend, and show a significant departure from the usual grim Howard character.The tales would be welcome by fans of Westerns, and are certainly entertaining.
Robert E. Howard could certainly ebtertain. This would be an excellent gift to a fan of the Old West and its tall tales.

a gent from bear creek
this show the lighter side of Robert E. Howard.the man was never a novelist of the hemingway tradition, but he could spin a yarn that you could almost taste the sweat on your lips or hear the pounding of horse hooves, or maybe your own heart.this book is one of his different submissions a rare look into the humor side of a troubled life. ... Read more

Product Description
This Halcyon Classics ebook contains the only Robert Howard novel published during his lifetime, 'The Hour of the Dragon.'In this epic, Conan fights to recover the throne of Aquilonia from Nemedian invaders aided by the Acheronian wizard Xaltoltun.This edition also includes 'The Hyborian Age,' a description of the times and lands that Conan was familiar with.This ebook is DRM free and includes an active table of contents for easy navigation.

Contents:

The Hour of the Dragon
The Hyborian Age
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Real Men. Giant Men. Iron Men!
Robert E. Howard was great fan of the ring. He loved the action and the shear power of the men who fought between the ropes. This respect for manly strength shows in every story he wrote, from his westerns right up to his most famous creation, Conan. Here in this book he writes about the real thing. These are men here. Real men! Howard was a life time fan of boxing and these stories are based on men he actually watched trading blows in the ring. If you think these men are larger than life, think again. For each fictional character found in this book there was a real man behind the character. Real men lived the lives presented here. While it is true that these are fictitious accounts it is also true that boxing really was once like this. It was brutal. It was bloody. It was all about fighting. The boxers of today, with their polish and their fancy footwork would not have had a chance in the boxing ring of old. Only an iron man could get through a match in those days. An iron man was a man who didn't duck and dodge but, rather, took each blow to come his way and never faltered. An iron man could take any amount of punishment and still win the fight. An iron man was the toughest of the tough. In this book you will find four such men. These are the men who inspired the great barbarian, Conan. Read this book and enjoy, but beware. No matter how tough you think you are you will feel weak and helpless compared to the giants found in these pages. This is Howard at his best. This is Howard writing about that which he loved most. This is The Iron Man!

HOWARD'S BOXING STORIES
Even I, a REH fan, was wondering how a boxing yarn could be any good. I was expecting just a bunch of in-ring action with the only differences from story to story being the fighters and who won. Far from it. This book starts off with an essay entitled Men of Iron, where Howard asks the question: "What freak of nature makes an iron man?" I personally didn't find the essay all that interesting==but the rest of the book makes up for that. The first story is The Iron Man. In my opinion, it's the best in the book. While I read it, I couldn't help but think of the B and W movie Champion with Kirk Douglas. Iron Man has got one whopper of a storyline. Next up is They Always Come Back. This is the second story in the book, and the second best. There's a few nice twists in this story, though. Finally, there's Fists of the Desert. After reading that story, I really felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. That one is the third best of the bunch. This is a hard book to find--even in paparback--but if you see it, pick it up--you won't be disappointed.

IRON MAN
This is a must for all Howard fans,especially the newer ones who may have only read his sword & sorcery stories.Iron Man is about boxing pure and simple;the men who took untold punishment in the ring before usually winning their bouts by knocking out their fatigued opponents.Howard wrote this using some of his personal experiences following the fight game in Texas and has based some of his later and well known characters like Conan and Kull on the fighters in this book.They all share the same characteristics of toughness,incredible vitality and endurance.Iron Man is a good guide to how Howard thought and how he shaped his future characters ... Read more

Product Description
In the same way that Tolkien is considered the father of epic fantasy, so to is Robert E. Howard considered the father of the fantasy genre of sword and sorcery. Howard is among a select group of now-revered writers who published primarily in pulp magazines. Pulps continued publishing Howard material posthumously, and his first hardcover book appeared in 1937, a year after his early death at the age of 30. Anthologies, books, comic adaptations and movies based on his work are still being brought out. Howard created one of the most popular of all fantasy characters, Conan. Other famous characters included King Kull of Atlantis, the Puritan adventurer Soloman Kane, the female warrior Red Sonya, and the Pict Bran Mak Morn. This guide is an invaluable resource about Howard, with information for every known published work. Initial chapters provide a biography, discuss Howard's literary legacy, and give basic tips about collecting Howard's writings. The main body of the work is a bibliography of Howard's published works from 1925 through 2004. Each entry includes a description and known details including publisher, date, print run, and estimated value. A thorough index locates the publication of every Howard story or poem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE FINEST HOWARD REFERENCE BOOK YET!
Robert E. Howard's career only lasted about ten years before he took his own life in 1936.But the volume of work that Howard produced in those ten years is absolutely staggering and a lifetime for most writers.Over 300 short stories, 700 poems, several novels, hundreds of letters and dozens of fragments and outlines for other tales.It's no surprise then that decades after his death, Howard stories were seeing print for the very FIRST time! But keeping up on all the Howard material is no easy task.The stories have been reprinted numerous times for dozens of publishers.The rights to Howard's works make up a tale of intrigue that would have made him proud.

Robert E. Howard:A Collector's Descriptive Bibliography with Biography is the most complete book yet that seeks to list all of Howard's works.For the Howard collector, it is simply the finest and most useful reference tool around that covers Howard's career from the 1920's, right up through present day.

Author Leon Nielsen provides a brief, but informative biography of Howard's life.His childhood years were spent moving around with his parents a great deal:Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, before finally settling in Cross Plains, Texas in 1919 when young Robert was about [...].You've probably no doubt seen some of the pictures of Howard as a young man but the book also includes rare photos of his father, Dr. I.M. Howard and his mother Hester.More important than the biography is the section on Howard's legacy.You can read the letter that Dr. Howard wrote to his son's good friend, H.P. Lovecraft, informing him about his son's passing. The most important part is the section on the rights to Howards works as Nielsen maps out the bumpy road that took the late author's works from party to party, including a brief stop at Stan Lee Media in 2000.It's important to note that the rights to Conan and the rights to the rest of Howard's works were completely separate, although Paradox Entertainment now owns the majority of it.

The bulk of the book is what collectors will be after...sections on collecting and identifying Howard's works, and a comprehensive bibliography listing all of Howard's hardcover books, mass-market paperbacks, magazine appearances, special publications and amateur periodicals.The bibliography includes publisher name, publishing date, page count, press run, and other notes as well as a current price value.Even seasoned Howard fans will barely be able to contain their excitement at the volume of material presented in the book.The Amateur publications alone (i.e., fanzines) will make for an incredible quest for collectors.Dozens of photos of rare editions are included to whet your appetite.This is an essential book for any Howard collector!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

A 'must'
Robert E. Howard was the man who launched the fantasy literature sub-genre popularly known as 'Sword & Sorcery'. He was a prolific author of pulp magazine stories of the 1930s including westerns, detective yarns, sports stories, and more. He is perhaps best remembered today for his Conan the Cimmerian novels where he created such a popular character that long after his death, his literary estate would licence other authors to finish his manuscripts and story ideas left uncompleted by his suicide brought on by the death of his mother to whom he was devoted. Indeed, his first hardcover book was posthumously published in 1937 - one year after his death and is included in Leon Nielsen's "Robert E. Howard: A collector's Descriptive Bibliography, With Biography". Illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of cover art associated with the publication of his stories, "Robert E. Howard" is a 'must' for both academic library American Literature reference collections, and the dedicated legions of Robert E. Howard fans and an ideal way for those new to his work to create reading lists for themselves of both his well-known and more obscure writings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

The Worst work on Howard Ever Done
Sprague de Camp -- and I knew this guy for many years -- was the ultimate opportunist.Oscar Friend -- the original agent for REH's works after his death -- made the mistake of letting him in on Conan and over the decades -- from the 1950's through the 1980's -- made a pretty good living off Howard's cold dead body.This "bio" makes his one on Lovecraft seem fair and accurate.Nope, not at all.De Camp had the really annoying habit of trying to psychioanalyize other -- always dead -- writers.With this one he brought in his wife and some child psychatrist.The result is a really bad look at Howard from a guy --who despite the fortune he made off of him -- who deep down didn't like Howard or perhaps resented the fact that dead, Howard was still more popular than he could ever be.There are better works out there.Try them first.

A valuable read
de Camp is always catching hell about something he wrote especially about REH and HPL.Dark Valley is highly readable.The text contains facts.de Camp does make judgments about his subject.This day in age we're trained not to judge anyone, so the book is refreshing.de Camp does succeed were many biographies fail and that is he makes the reader sympathetic about REH.REH is not just the subject about you can appreciate his life's difficulties.Any the book is highly readable.But I must add I'm biased toward de Camp . . . I've got an autographed copy.

The DEFINITIVE Bio on REH until a new one appears :)
L. Sprague de Camp's biography of REH is a very credible (if admittedly somewhat opinionated) account.Frankly, I don't understand the nonsense that some reviewers spout about this book.It is plainly evident that de Camp conducted a good deal of research, being especially diligent to seek out and interview virtually everyone that had known REH.All in all, de Camp based his research on oral and literary sources as well as visiting and studying the places where REH had lived.The value of such was recognized long ago.One need only read Herodotus, Thucydides, or the greatest historian of antiquity, Polybius, to appreciate this.Ultimately, de camp's bio reaches tenable conclusions based upon his research.

At this point in time, a more definitive bio seems somewhat questionable.There are probably very (if any) acquaintances of REH still living. This of course doesn't mean that future bios cannot be written, only that they will find it incredibly difficult to obtain any new material.Very few can ever approach an understanding of REH as de Camp did.After all, he spent a large part of his career as a fiction writer in editing and expanding the Conan series.Instead, future biographers will be sifting among the stones that de Camp has already quarried for them.

Finally, while de Camp was not a professional pyschologist, that in itself does not necessarily disqualify him in analyzing REH's state of mind.The fallacy of expert opinion comes to mind here.Most biographers hold an area of expertise in only one or two fields, and often their subjects will carry them into sundry fields of exploration.That's one reason why professionals published their work, so that others can benefit from the fruits of their research. Geez, excuse my getting off track here a bit, but some people have the lamest, sorriest reasons for not enjoying de Camp's work and appreciating it for the fine work of scholarship that it is. (Accusing de Camp of writing articulate prose with the intention to deceive, as one reviewer suggested, only demonstrates that they are unfamiliar with his prose style.)

Is D.V.D. perfect and without the occassional error found in most bios?By no means, but de Camp isn't trying to hoodwink anyone, and anyone with any critical faculties can disagree with some of his conclusions.That in itself is a sign of scholarship as de Camp has provided enough material to allow the reader to independently verify whether or not s/he agrees.

NOT the �definitive� biography� merely opinion
To say it politely, approximately 90% of Dark Valley Destiny is pure, subjective opinion. In fact, this book is not a biography at all (regardless of the author's claims), but is a pseudo-Freudian interpretation of Robert E. Howard's psychological state or mental "life" based on assorted, incomplete, and (in some cases) erroneous facts. De Camp's credentials as a psychologist, or even an amateur psychologist, are not only in question, but non-existent. Dr. Jane Whittington Griffin, whose name is presented as co-author and whose association seems to lend the book an air of respectability and authority, in fact had little to do with the writing of this book due to her untimely death while the book was in the process of being researched and written. Further, Dr. Griffin's credentials as a legitimately licensed psychologist have recently come into question as well.

In his own autobiography, de Camp refers to this book as a "psycho biography," and elsewhere de Camp admits that he had tried to sell the idea of writing a biography on Robert E. Howard to the publisher who considered the subject too dry and suggested that instead de Camp should spice it up a bit by writing a psychological examination and evaluation of Howard's work and life. This de Camp did, and the result is the eminently sensationalistic and yellow-journalistic commentary known as Dark Valley Destiny.

To top it all off, we find that de Camp is not remotely sympathetic toward his subject matter, and he takes pains to use his own moral and intellectual values and positions to criticize and condemn Howard at every step, while at the same time offering appeasing praise. The reader ought to be warned that de Camp's writing style is quite skilled and is meant to be persuasive. Meaning, de Camp will pull the wool over your eyes with statements of "opinion as fact" and unsupported leaps of logic unless you carefully read the book with a detached, critical eye. As a book that presents itself as a factual and authoritative biography, it is a farce and all but worthless. If you read this book, read it with a HUGE grain of salt, and be skeptical.

Although Dark Valley Destiny is not a definitive biography (or even a good one), it is unfortunately the only book yet published which claims to be a biography of Robert E. Howard. The memoir ONE WHO WALKED ALONE, by one of Howard's girlfriends, Novalyne Price-Ellis, is far more reliable and informative, but even this must be read with the understanding that the writer is drawing conclusions based on her own views and biases, which were sometimes made without complete information. Mrs. Ellis, however, had the good fortune of actually knowing Robert E. Howard and the information in her book is first hand knowledge, unlike that in Dark Valley Destiny. It therefore carries much more weight.

The suggestion below that all is opinion and the truth shall never be known is, in part, true. As de Camp mentioned, but quickly ignored, posthumous biography is a somewhat foolish endeavor. There are many points about Howard's life which will simply never be known. Yet, to state that all is opinion and therefore equal is specious and misleading. There are conclusions and opinions which hold up to and are supported by the known facts, and then there are conclusions and opinions which are not. There are conclusions which adhere to standards of validity, and there are conclusions that do not. The task of scholars, and a definitive biography, is to achieve the highest level of factual reliability possible - not to present one's own views or opinions. Where a conclusion is uncertain, its uncertainty must be noted and alternatives offered and explored. In all this, Dark Valley Destiny fails miserably.

If you're interested in reading one author's distorted and biased OPINION of another author, then this book is for you. If, on the other hand, you want to read about the life of Robert E. Howard, look elsewhere. To start, I'd recommend the "Short Biography" of Howard on the REHupa web site, ... and then I'd recommend reading Howard's "Selected Letters" (which are unfortunately out of print but can be found in used book stores). For additional biographical sources on Howard, try The Barbarian Keep web page. ...

The Truth About REH is Unknown
DeCamp describes Howard in his "Dark Valley Destiny" book, and Novalyne Price describes him in her "One Who Walked Alone" book.

Both are probably right and probably wrong. Read both.

If you want to understand REH, read his writings (and those of his biographers) and make up your own mind.

His was a tortured soul.

I could defend or criticize Howard on many different levels. The truth is (and I hope you agree)is that we've all lost something because his potential had never been fully realized. ... Read more

Product Description
76 pages.Oversized trade paperback.Introduction by Ben Szumskyj."An Introduction to the Life and Works of Robert E. Howard" and an interview with Glenn Lord by Joe Marek; an untitled dark fantasy/Cthulhu Mythos style story featuring John O'Dare by Robert E. Howard; "A Short History of the Conan Typescripts" by Patrice Louniet; "The Devil's Woodchopper" by Robert E. Howard; "Pages from 'As the Poet Says'" by Rusty Burke with Leo Grin; "Three Autobiographical Letters" by Robert E. Howard (to ARGOSY, and to Farnsworth Wright, and to Wilfred Blanch Talman; "And in This Corner, Hailing from Nazareth, or, What the Eddas Don't Tell You" by Scott Sheaffer (on Robert E. Howard's pagan/Viking/Celtic stories); "Double Cross" by Robert E. Howard (an Ace Jessel & John Taverel boxing story); "Am-Ra: Howard's Lost Hero" by Ben Szumskyj; "The Right Hook No. 1 Vol. 1" by Robert E. Howard, introduced by Tom Munnerlyn (unpublished Robert E. Howard material from a zine produc!ed by a nineteen-year old Robert E. Howard); "Some People Who Have Had Influence Over Me" by Robert E. Howard (a high school essay); afterword by Ben Szumskyj.Profusely illustrated by Gary Gianni, Rick Cortes, Mark Schultz, Rick McCollum, David Burton. ... Read more

Product Description
The Moon of Skulls collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales Magazine from October 1929 to November 1930, plus one from Oriental Stories. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all - Conan the Cimmerian - and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure.Continuing the collection of Howard's fiction and poetry in order of publication, Volume Two of The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard picks up where Volume One left off-at one of the most startling and controversial Howard stories of all: Skull-Face, a potent combination of gothic themes and oriental mystique. ... Read more

Product Description
Adapted from the story by Robert E. Howard, creator of the legendary character CONAN THE BARBARIAN! Cormac FitzGeoffrey, a wandering warrior born and bred on the battlefield, is a renowned fighter, a ruthless adversary, and a man that is no stranger to the ways of bloodshed and violence. Cormac counts his friends on only one hand, so when he learns that his most recent liege has been murdered; nothing will stop his quest for revenge. By oath, a path of vengeance will be marked by the blood of his enemies. Featuring covers by fan-favorite THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN artist Joe Jusko! ... Read more

Product Description
Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. He is well known for having created the character Conan the Cimmerian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. Voracious reading, along with a natural talent for prose writing and the encouragement of teachers, conspired to create in Howard an interest in becoming a professional writer. One by one he discovered the authors that would influence his later work: Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. It's clear from Howard's earliest writings and the recollections of his friends that he suffered from severe depression from an early age. Friends recall him defending the act of suicide as a valid alternative as early as eighteen years old, while many of his stories and poems have a suicidal gloom and intensity that seem prescient in hindsight, describing such an end not as a tragedy but as a release from hell on earth. ... Read more

Product Description
The story of Conan, the huge Cimmerian who slashed his way through the exotic realms of the Hyborian Age, in the dim reaches of man's prehistoric past, eventually making himself King of Aquilonia, the greatest and riches of the Hyborian lands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Conan The Freebooter
I just finished reading this book the other day. While not as good as Conan of Cimmeria, it still gets four stars because of the great addition it makes to the world of Conan. The new places and events sparkle with wonder. I enjoy any book that has pirates in it. See also Corsair by Chris Bunch and Doom's Break by Christopher Rowley for more great tales of piracy in different fantasy worlds.

Conan is the man and I must say I wish the character would be remade into a new set of movies.

A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.

Super Reader
This has

Conan the Freebooter : Hawks Over Shem - Robert E. Howard
Conan the Freebooter : Black Colossus - Robert E. Howard
Conan the Freebooter : Shadows in the Moonlight - Robert E. Howard
Conan the Freebooter : The Road of the Eagles - Robert E. Howard
Conan the Freebooter : A Witch Shall Be Born - Robert E. Howard

A fun passage from the intro :-

"...If, on the other hand, you insist on realism in your readin--if you must have novels about introverts suffering in a brutal world--if your

meat is something "close to the soil" or concerned with psychopathology or the state of the world, then, my friend, this book is not for you.

You'd better find yourself a hole and read Crime and Punishment. But I won't be there with you--I have an engagement in the Hyborian Age, and
will be busy all evening.

John D. Clark, PhD."



One of the rewritten from another Howard story into a Conan story jobs.

In Shem, a local king has gone the whole extremely repressive Islam style no fun city thing. No drinking, gambling, women wandering around, etc., etc. Thinks he is a god, as well.

As such, Conan is not having a great time, and is more than happy to lend a hand in changing the leadership to a variety that isn't so insane.

2.5 out of 5



Princess Yasmeela is visited by the sorceror Natokh, in an unearthly appartion. Terrified, she consults the oracle of Mitra, who tells her to make the first man she sees head of her armies.

It is her good fortune that this man is Conan. Her understands her political and military problems, and leads her army in war against the forces of Natokh, who has a resurrected monster up his sleeve.

Carnage ensues.

4 out of 5



Conan comes across an Hyrkanian battle leader who has slaughtered the mercenaries he was with. He slays him and allows a girl the dead man had captured to come with him.

Attempting escape they come across pirates, a man ape, and spooky statues at night.

4 out of 5


Another historical story adapted to a Conan tale.

Conan is now leading a Red Brotherhood band of pirates, and a general has been sent to clear them out. Bad luck for everyone, really.

A younger prince has been exiled into the care of a bandit, rather than killed.

Add in a somewhat too hasty woman, pirates, brigands, and soldiers, and some vampire monsters, and Conan is happy to leave for somewhere else.

3 out of 5



A bad problem to have - how do you tell which of two women is the very evil twin. Luckily, our favorite barbarian is a very pragmatic man. Excellent and evocative, this story.

4.5 out of 5 ... Read more